Chongqing - On November 15, the 2024 Chongqing Culture and Tourism Development Conference took place in Chongqing's Dazu District. The event also marked the launch of several key initiatives, including the 41st edition of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's industry project exchange, the Chongqing Culture and Tourism Investment Promotion, and the 2024 Chongqing Cultural Tourism Consumer Carnival.

The Chongqing Cultural Tourism Consumer Carnival took place in Chongqing's Dazu District. (Photo/The event organizer)

From January to September this year, the city's cultural industry and tourism sector saw year-on-year increases in value-added production by 6.9% and 7.3%, respectively. Domestic tourist arrivals reached 330 million, while inbound visitors totaled 762,000, with total tourist expenditure reaching 355.26 billion yuan—an impressive 10.1%, 222.4%, and 15.6% growth compared to the previous year. 

Chongqing Cultural Tourism Consumer Carnival took place in Chongqing's Dazu District. (Photo/The event organizer)

The number of businesses in the cultural tourism sector surpassed 190,000, and the number of travel agencies topped 1,100, ranking Chongqing first in Western China and sixth nationwide in terms of tourist group volume.

Expanding the cultural and tourism industry chain

"In recent years, the cultural tourism industry has been thriving, and supply continues to diversify," said a Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development spokesperson. "Chongqing now boasts 17 national-level boutique tourism routes, 12 5A-rated scenic spots, and 15 national-level cultural tourism consumption hubs. We've also introduced over 800 new products and experiences, such as the '360 Bowls of Chongqing Flavors' food selection event, and established more than 100 performance venues."

Chongqing has developed a series of high-quality tourism systems, including picturesque mountain-city landscapes, the Three Gorges, and the Wuling Mountains. For example, Wanzhou District is enhancing its rich cultural heritage as a historical city, creating a key hub in the Yangtze River Three Gorges International Golden Tourism Belt. The district has launched 20 tourism routes, including adventure and rural tourism options, and has already welcomed 25 million visitors this year, with tourist spending growing by 25.7%.

Revitalizing scenic sites and promoting heritage

Dazu District, home to the renowned Dazu Rock Carvings, actively promotes its cultural heritage. The district recently introduced the "Dazu Carvings in the Context of Climate Change" declaration to contribute to global efforts in protecting grottoes and temples. The district has also implemented comprehensive conservation and improvement projects for its rock carvings, leading to significant visitor numbers and revenue growth. From January to October, Dazu welcomed 1.13 million visitors, achieving a 9.3% increase in ticket sales.

The Dazu Rock Carvings. (Photo/ Mikkel Larsen)

Wulong District, designated as a tourism pilot area, has grown significantly by integrating tourism with various industries. In the first 10 months of the year, the district attracted over 6 million tourists and generated 1.3 million yuan in foreign tourist income.

Chongqing's approach to sustainable growth

Chongqing, already an internet-famous city, seeks to ensure long-term tourism growth by leveraging the concept of "Cultural Tourism + Industry." This model blends culture and tourism with commerce, performing arts, innovation, and sports sectors. Through this cross-industry integration, Chongqing has transformed its digital attention into economic growth.

In the first three quarters of this year, the city's retail sales increased by 3.8%, and commercial value in hospitality and dining grew by 8.9%. Chongqing is also developing its commercial infrastructure, focusing on pedestrian streets and smart business districts, which have seen over a 30% increase in foot traffic.

Tourists in Hongyadong Scenic Spot. (Photo provided to iChongqing and Bridging News)

Cultural tourism carnival kicks off

The 2024 Chongqing Cultural Tourism Consumer Carnival, part of the broader event, includes the Chongqing Tourism Development Exhibition, the "360 Bowls of Chongqing Flavors" food market, and the Bayu intangible cultural heritage and creative market. These activities aim to further stimulate local cultural tourism and drive consumer engagement.

The "360 Bowls of Chongqing Flavors" food market kicked off in Dazu District. (Photo/The event organizer)

Looking ahead, the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development plans to continue developing new cultural tourism products and experiences. By 2027, the value-added output of the cultural and tourism industries is projected to make up more than 5% of the city's GDP, with the number of businesses in the sector exceeding 200,000.